Directions, Parking & Athlete Shuttle

The race is located in the heart of Washington, DC. The transition area, course, and finish line festival will be accessible via car or metro. The start, transition area and finish line festival are all conveniently located at West Potomac Park.

Getting to the Sports and Fitness Expo:

The expo will be centrally located at host hotel Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th.

Taking the Metro:

Getting to the Transition Area:

The transition area is located at West Potomac Park.
By car, the transition area will be accessible from Interstate 395 (Potomac Park Exit) or from East of 15th St. You will not be able to drive down Independence Avenue as roads will be closed on Race Day. As the race gets closer, complete and comprehensive parking and driving instructions to the transition area will be available here.

Parking at the Transition Area:

DO NOT DRIVE TO THE TRANSITION AREA ON RACE MORNING. Parking is VERY, VERY limited. Athletes are encouraged to be dropped off at the transition area on race morning prior to 5:30 AM. Cars will not be permitted to drop off passengers along Independence Avenue on race morning. We recommend getting dropped off either along Constitution Avenue and walking across the Lincoln Memorial or along 17th street, and walking down Independence Avenue.

Athletes, volunteers and spectators who choose to drive should give themselves plenty of time. A limited number of parking spaces are available in lots A, B and C on Hains Point. Please note that these lots will fill up quickly, are first come, first served and once the roads close at 6:00 AM, these lots will no longer be accessible. The roads will re-open at 2:00 PM and cars will be able to leave the lots starting at that time (approximately .8 miles to transition area). Other parking options are available on the street near Independence Ave and 15th St and various lots and garages in the surrounding area. More details and maps are available in the Athlete Guide.

Athletes may also choose to park near the hotel and take the shuttle bus to and from the transition area on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttles will be available from the host hotel, the Washington Hilton, to the Transition Area, from 4:30 am to 6:15 am, running about every 20 minutes.

Athlete Shuttle:

The Athlete-only shuttle service to and from the transition area will run on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th.

Saturday: We will provide an athlete shuttle from the Transition Area to the host hotel from 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM. We recommend all athletes ride their bikes down and take the shuttle back to the hotel. Please note that there are no bikes allowed on the shuttle. We will have maps for athletes to bike down to Transition Area to rack their bikes, and athletes can take the shuttle back to the hotel.

Sunday, Race Day: We encourage all athletes to take the shuttle from the hotel starting at 4:30 AM. The last shuttle will depart at 6:15 AM. The post-race shuttles going back to the hotel parking lots will leave from the transition area at approximately 2:00 PM or when the roads reopen. Again, please remember there are no bikes allowed on the shuttle.